Indian Student Visa Applications To US See Sharpest Drop Since COVID-19

The US student visa season is seeing a noticeable slowdown among Indian applicants this year. Between March and May, just 9,906 Indian students were granted F-1 academic visas—a sharp 27% drop compared to the same period in 2024. This marks the lowest figure for that timeframe since the pandemic years, according to recent figures from the US State Department.

The months from March through July typically see a surge in visa activity, with students preparing to begin their studies in the Fall semester, reported Indian Express. However, 2025 appears to be an exception, with visa issuances falling well short of past levels.

In a development adding to student concerns, Harvard University has reportedly urged its international students to avoid arriving via Boston Logan International Airport, citing heightened immigration checks and stricter scrutiny at the border, reported Times of India.

It is suggested that the current dip may be linked to restrictive immigration measures enacted during the Trump administration. Those policies included the suspension of student visa interviews at US embassies and expanded background checks—particularly through social media monitoring.

ALSO READ: 'No Place For Double Standards On Terrorism': PM Modi Asserts India And Brazil's 'Aligned' Stance

world